2014 in Review: The BioPharma and Health Trends We’ll Remember

Health

Makovsky

Monday, December 15, 2014

With 2014 almost in the rear-view mirror, Makovsky Health is reflecting on the storylines that stand out from the past 12 months. From global public health issues to mergers, and from US health system strains to increasing medical and health technology innovations coming to market, these are the trends that we see as defining 2014 – and setting the stage for 2015 and beyond.

What do you think are the most important stories and trends from the past year?

Infectious Disease Front and Center: The news flow may have been dominated by the Ebola outbreak in Africa and the potential epidemic fears in developed nations, but even beyond the mainstream headlines, infectious disease took center stage for the industry in 2014. In September the Obama Administration issued an executive order creating a new task force to tackle antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and refocused efforts on combatting Ebola globally. The biopharmaceutical industry is now refocusing efforts to develop new drugs to treat multi-drug resistant infections, as the growing problem threatens all developed nations.

2014 FDA Approvals on Track to Eclipse 2013 Totals: NME and BLA approvals granted by the FDA currently stand at 35, which would outpace the 2013 total of 29 approvals by the Agency last year. The uptick in approvals is an interesting counterpoint to shrinking R&D budgets across pharma.

Doctors Stretched Thin Across US: Although the Affordable Care Act has opened access to care for millions of Americans, patients face a growing threat of lack of access from providers, with a growing number of physicians reporting that they are stretched too thin. A September survey conducted by the Physicians Foundation found that 81 percent of physicians describe themselves as either over-extended or at full capacity, while only 19 percent indicate they have time to see more patients.

To date, 2014 has marked a year of major transition for the industry – and its standout stories are sure to shape the new opportunities and challenges ahead in 2015.